A bridge built on love, generosity and opportunity: ’Berg dedicates Farmen Footbridge

Fifty-four years ago, Ray and Sharon Farmen shared their first kiss at T-Bridge. On Saturday, during Heidelberg University’s Homecoming celebration, they re-created that moment with a ceremonial walk across the newly dedicated Farmen Footbridge – a fitting celebration of a love story that has lasted a lifetime and a gift that will create connections for generations to come.

The dedication ceremony brought together the Farmens, Heidelberg students and alumni, university leaders and community representatives to celebrate the latest milestone in the legacy of Frann’s Fieldhouse and the transformation of the surrounding campus landscape.

The new footbridge creates a convenient, scenic connection between Frann’s Fieldhouse and Peaceful Valley and Hidden Valley, home to Heidelberg’s baseball and softball teams. It also provides easier access to the Rock Creek Trail, opening new possibilities for students, alumni and area residents to enjoy one of the university’s most beautiful settings.

And the view? Spectacular!

“Today, we’re celebrating an exciting milestone in the Frann’s Fieldhouse project,” said Ashley Helmstetter, vice president of Advancement, Marketing, Alumni and Community Relations, who served as emcee for the dedication.

“Watching this new structure arrive on campus gave me goosebumps,” she said, recalling the sight of a crane lifting the bridge into place in a matter of minutes. “But even more exciting is what this bridge represents.”

Frann’s Fieldhouse began with a vision to elevate the student experience and strengthen campus life through athletics, academics and recreation. Dedicated in October 2025, the 110,000-square-foot facility has become a gathering place for the Heidelberg and Tiffin communities. The Farmen Footbridge adds a vital connection to the fields, trails and outdoor spaces beyond its doors.

Yet, as Ashley noted, the bridge’s story is about more than a pathway. It is about the people who make possible Heidelberg’s vision for the future.

Inspired by Heidelberg’s future

During Alumni Weekend in 2025, Ray ’76 and Sharon ’75 heard President Rob Huntington share his vision for Heidelberg and the significant difference alumni can make in shaping the university’s future.

Inspired, the Farmens stepped forward to make the footbridge a reality, demonstrating their belief in Heidelberg and the opportunities it creates for students and the broader community.

Their generosity, Ashley said, is a compelling reminder that the Heidelberg story does not end at graduation.

“Our alumni continue to shape this university, turning ideas into opportunities and helping build a stronger generation for the next generation of Student Princes,” she said. “You are wonderful examples of what it means to be Opportunity Makers, creating possibilities that will benefit our students and community for years to come.”

Rob echoed that gratitude, recalling the moment the Farmens made their intentions clear.

During an Alumni Weekend event back in 2025, after Ashley told him that someone had responded to his vision for the footbridge, the couple approached him.

“It's us,” they told him. “We're going to do it.”

Rob said he would never forget their spirit of generosity, for creating opportunities, for the joy they expressed, and for their humility.

“That's fantastic. That's who you are … Student Princes forever,” he said.

A bridge to new experiences

For Leah Arnett, a junior from Cincinnati studying communication and marketing, the new footbridge connects two places that already play an important role in her Heidelberg experience.

Leah is busy creating social media content for the School of Business, but she is just as likely to be found at Peaceful Valley on Frann’s Softball Field. Between practices, workouts, games, tarping the field, team bonding, alumni events and prospect camps, the area has become a second home.

She remembers when the site was little more than a torn-up heap of dirt with a sign announcing “Frann’s Fieldhouse: Coming in Fall 2025.” The finished building has exceeded expectations, becoming a place where students gather for far more than athletics.

Leah recalled playing bingo with students from Heidelberg and Tiffin University during a mental health summit, watching Heidelberg football defeat Mount Union with friends in the team room, and celebrating her senior softball teammates’ graduation late at night after returning from a conference tournament.

Those experiences may seem unrelated, she said, but they demonstrate the point: Frann’s Fieldhouse is a place where the Heidelberg community comes together.

“A building like Frann’s can create opportunities, but connecting the spaces around it helps us make the most of these opportunities,” Leah said.

The Farmen Footbridge will make it easier for students and community members to move between campus and Peaceful Valley, whether they are cheering on the Student Princes, enjoying the Rock Creek Trail or exploring the campus. Coaches will have a scenic route to share with prospective students and their families, while athletic trainers will be able to transport equipment more efficiently.

“These may seem like small enhancements, but they make a big difference in our day-to-day experience here at Heidelberg,” Leah said. “Again, not just for one group, but for everyone.”

She’s excited to see the memories and opportunities that lie ahead – for future Student Princes as well as Heidelberg’s neighbors and local residents who are welcome to enjoy the campus and its facilities.

“I am excited to see the opportunities that Farmen Footbridge will create, not only for the Heidelberg community but as we continue our strong connection to our local community as well,” she said. “The memories will be truly special.”

Building community bridges

The dedication also celebrated the longstanding partnership between Heidelberg and the city of Tiffin, with local and state leaders offering remarks recognizing the university’s impact and the importance of continued partnerships.

State Rep. Gary Click commended Rob for the work he and Heidelberg are doing to expand access to higher education, and presented a commendation recognizing those efforts.

Seneca County Commissioner Brett Busdeker, who lives in the neighborhood near Frann’s Fieldhouse, reflected on how exciting it has been to watch the area and the surrounding community grow and change.

Calling the transformation “spectacular,” Brett thanked the Farmens for their generous contribution to an “amazing campus” and expressed pride in being part of the community.

Tiffin Mayor Lee Wilkinson highlighted the deep ties between the university and the city, noting that Heidelberg and Tiffin have been intertwined throughout the university’s 176-year history.

“As Tiffin grows, Heidelberg grows,” Wilkinson said. “We continue to build bridges together to make a stronger community.”

The Farmen Footbridge offers a tangible expression of that partnership, creating a welcoming connection between campus, athletic facilities and outdoor recreation spaces that can be enjoyed by the wider community.

The next chapter

As Rob reflected on the dedication, he noted that Leah had captured the spirit of the Farmens’ gift perfectly. Just as Frann’s Fieldhouse is a place for everyone, so, too, is the new footbridge.

Each crossing will create a new connection to Heidelberg – and serve as a reminder that the strongest bridges do more than connect places. They connect people, generations and possibilities.

Following the remarks, attendees joined the Farmens for a ceremonial walk across the bridge as the Heidelberg Marching Band played, adding a dose of tradition, unmistakable ’Berg spirit to the occasion.